She resigned on July 11, 2022, effective August 31, 2022, amid misconduct proceedings into her alleged attempt to influence a disciplinary hearing.
[1] Janet Marie DiFiore was born on August 9, 1955, in Mount Vernon, New York, the only child of Italian immigrants,[2][3] and is a lifelong resident of Westchester County.
[6] Soon after assuming office, DiFiore approved new DNA testing to be used in the case of Jeffrey Mark Deskovic, who was wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of a classmate.
[3][5] DiFiore subsequently set up an inquiry which reviewed the errors in the case and recommended reforms to prevent future wrongful convictions, such as videotaping police interrogations.
[4] From 2011 to 2013, DiFiore was chairwoman of the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics, a body to which she was appointed by Governor Andrew M.
[6] In July 2022, she announced her resignation as chief judge amid misconduct proceedings, allegedly attempting to influence a disciplinary hearing.
[13] DiFiore was included as one of seven finalists chosen by the state Commission on Judicial Nomination, led by former chief judge Judith S.
[5][6] Following a procedural delay, the New York State Senate unanimously confirmed DiFiore to the position by voice vote on January 21, 2016.
[14] The chief judge technically serves a fourteen-year term, but the New York State Constitution provides a mandatory retirement age for Court of Appeals justices.
[17] In a July 2022 interview, DiFiore announced her resignation as the chief judge of New York effective in August 2022.
[5] The couple met on the first day of law school, and married on August 15, 1981, at the Westchester Country Club in Rye.